After 10 group games last year, Mumbai Indians were on the verge of making the playoffs having secured their seventh win of the season. They had just handed the table toppers Chennai Super Kings a 60-run thrashing at home, and would go on to lose just two more games, claiming, in the process, their maiden IPL crown. After 10 games this year, the defending champions are rooted near the bottom of the table with just three victories. One more loss and they are out of the race this year.

Mumbai's problems this season have been well documented. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu have only fired sporadically and on the bowling front, the wicket-taking responsibilities have been thrust solely on the shoulders of Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh - the pair has 24 scalps between them while the rest of the team combined have managed only 18.

Mumbai now need to win all their games and hope for other results to go their way if they are to advance to the playoffs, but the first obstacle in their way is a Rajasthan Royals outfit comfortably placed at the opposite end of the table. Royals have mostly stuck with the same combination this season, with most of their victories being built on the back of suffocating spells from Rajat Bhatia and Pravin Tambe. However, their successful chase of 191 against Royal Challengers pointed to an equally potent batting line-up.

Mumbai and Royals are both coming off recent defeats in the final over to Super Kings, but the loss would have hurt Mumbai a lot more as it snapped a 10-match winning run at home, putting them in a position where it is now all or nothing.

Rajasthan Royals: Third, with seven wins from 11 games Mumbai Indians: Seventh, with three wins from 10 games

Watch out for

Mumbai Indians paid big money ($750,000) for Corey Anderson's services, but the New Zealand allrounder has looked lost in most of his outings this season. With just 150 runs and four wickets from 10 innings, Anderson has, in all likelihood, four matches left to prove to his detractors that the 36-ball 100 against West Indies - the fastest century in ODI history - was not a one-off.

Sanju Samson has been reliable behind the stumps with the gloves and also contributed with the bat whenever called upon, though he would ideally like to score more runs. Samson is currently the team's second-highest run-getter, and the last time he faced off against Mumbai, he thumped 60 off 33 balls, albeit in a losing cause. Royals would hope for more of the same from him as they edge closer towards the playoffs.

Stats and trivia

Mumbai have 7-5 win-loss record against Royals in the IPL, and have prevailed in four of the last five games against them

Shane Watson has the most runs among current players in Rajasthan-Mumbai IPL games, with 267. Sachin Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in these matches, having made 273 runs

Quotes

"I wouldn't say I am a specialist batsman. At the moment I haven't bowled at all in this tournament. But you never know, at times I might get called upon and take a few wickets and keep the runs to the minimum."

What the hell!!! Praveen is still on the bench... He is good bowler....

dummy4fb
on May 19, 2014, 9:56 GMT

@Cricketfan11111 CSK is @ 16 point who you say will notmake it to play off and mumbai is @ 6 points with 4 games even if they win all games they will make 14 points but you say they ccan make it to playoffs can you explain how ...... you gotta be a genius in math

ladycricfan
on May 19, 2014, 9:01 GMT

Because of his captaincy responsibility Rohit is batting cautiously. He will be criticised if he throws his wicket away. Under Dhoni's captaincy he is free to play his natural game. MI still have chance for play offs. KKR looks the strongest for the fourth spot. But RCB is also gaining moment. MI needs all the luck to win all 4 remaining games and to pray for other results go their way.

Only KXIP is sure of play offs spot because of their strong NRR, thanks to MAX and his exploits. Even CSK and RR might not make it on NRR count, if other teams are tied on 16 points.

DaisonGarvasis
on May 19, 2014, 7:47 GMT

MI needs to reduce expenditure this year coz this year they are not going anywhere near the play offs, nor they are getting to host finals. They need to realize their team is not good enough and realize their position - bottom of table.

android_user
on May 19, 2014, 7:30 GMT

this is last chance for MI to stay alive in compitition.
d lenge should come in place of malinga.
rohit should open with simmons then raydu,tare,gautam,polly,andi,bhajji,pk,suyal,bhumrah,d lenge.
MI management should take strong decision against oza for which they spent 3.5 crs.

dummy4fb
on May 19, 2014, 6:53 GMT

MI need five bowlers .Pollard and anderson are not suitable fifth bowlers .They nee to come up the order .Drop gautam and get in shreyas gopal .He seems to be an allrounder but a better bowler .Rohit needs to open .Simmons Rohit Polard Anderson Rayadu Tare Bhajji Kumar Gopal Santokie Bumrah .
RR should not change their side.Pollard has bowled more than he has batted .His bowling was the reason why MI lost against CSK.

Suja59
on May 19, 2014, 6:08 GMT

The miracle that can get Mumbai to the play offs
1. MI win all their matches - will get them to 14 pts
2. RCB win only one of the three matches - end with 12 pts
3. KKR loose all their matches - end with 12 pts
4. SRH win not more than 2 off 3 remaining - 12 pts

There is of course a NRR angle in case of ties. But I dont think it will get to that

In short MI , SRH and DD are out of the race. KKR seems to be set for the 4th spot

chikkubukku
on May 19, 2014, 6:03 GMT

One more chance for Mumbai Indians. I wish they utilize this opportunity and make changes in the batting order. Their batting order should be Hussey, Cummins, Rohit, Pollard, Anderson, Rayudu and Gautam. The bowing would be headed by Harbhajan Singh and Ojha. They can win this match with this batting order, Though the chances of them making to the last four looks remote, they can play for pride and enjoy cricket and express themselves freely. Hussey/Rohit will play the anchor role effectively while others can attck.

Best wishes for Mumbai Indians.

dummy4fb
on May 19, 2014, 5:34 GMT

Mallinga has already joined the Srilanka team..so Mumbai in deep trouble....they should bring Santokie who is a good T20 player...Rajasthan should give Hooda a chance instead of Binny....

Suja59
on May 19, 2014, 4:39 GMT

@sweetiepaper Spot on. This has been the problem with MI. But I doubt if they will play a fifth bowler and whether they will let Pollard and Anderson come up in the order. I would even Pollard and Anderson ahead of Rayudu. Rayudu is good, but he can not do what Pollard can on his day. Anyway whichever way the match goes, MI will not reach playoffs given so many odds stacked against them

espncricinfomobile
on May 19, 2014, 10:25 GMT

What the hell!!! Praveen is still on the bench... He is good bowler....

dummy4fb
on May 19, 2014, 9:56 GMT

@Cricketfan11111 CSK is @ 16 point who you say will notmake it to play off and mumbai is @ 6 points with 4 games even if they win all games they will make 14 points but you say they ccan make it to playoffs can you explain how ...... you gotta be a genius in math

ladycricfan
on May 19, 2014, 9:01 GMT

Because of his captaincy responsibility Rohit is batting cautiously. He will be criticised if he throws his wicket away. Under Dhoni's captaincy he is free to play his natural game. MI still have chance for play offs. KKR looks the strongest for the fourth spot. But RCB is also gaining moment. MI needs all the luck to win all 4 remaining games and to pray for other results go their way.

Only KXIP is sure of play offs spot because of their strong NRR, thanks to MAX and his exploits. Even CSK and RR might not make it on NRR count, if other teams are tied on 16 points.

DaisonGarvasis
on May 19, 2014, 7:47 GMT

MI needs to reduce expenditure this year coz this year they are not going anywhere near the play offs, nor they are getting to host finals. They need to realize their team is not good enough and realize their position - bottom of table.

android_user
on May 19, 2014, 7:30 GMT

this is last chance for MI to stay alive in compitition.
d lenge should come in place of malinga.
rohit should open with simmons then raydu,tare,gautam,polly,andi,bhajji,pk,suyal,bhumrah,d lenge.
MI management should take strong decision against oza for which they spent 3.5 crs.

dummy4fb
on May 19, 2014, 6:53 GMT

MI need five bowlers .Pollard and anderson are not suitable fifth bowlers .They nee to come up the order .Drop gautam and get in shreyas gopal .He seems to be an allrounder but a better bowler .Rohit needs to open .Simmons Rohit Polard Anderson Rayadu Tare Bhajji Kumar Gopal Santokie Bumrah .
RR should not change their side.Pollard has bowled more than he has batted .His bowling was the reason why MI lost against CSK.

Suja59
on May 19, 2014, 6:08 GMT

The miracle that can get Mumbai to the play offs
1. MI win all their matches - will get them to 14 pts
2. RCB win only one of the three matches - end with 12 pts
3. KKR loose all their matches - end with 12 pts
4. SRH win not more than 2 off 3 remaining - 12 pts

There is of course a NRR angle in case of ties. But I dont think it will get to that

In short MI , SRH and DD are out of the race. KKR seems to be set for the 4th spot

chikkubukku
on May 19, 2014, 6:03 GMT

One more chance for Mumbai Indians. I wish they utilize this opportunity and make changes in the batting order. Their batting order should be Hussey, Cummins, Rohit, Pollard, Anderson, Rayudu and Gautam. The bowing would be headed by Harbhajan Singh and Ojha. They can win this match with this batting order, Though the chances of them making to the last four looks remote, they can play for pride and enjoy cricket and express themselves freely. Hussey/Rohit will play the anchor role effectively while others can attck.

Best wishes for Mumbai Indians.

dummy4fb
on May 19, 2014, 5:34 GMT

Mallinga has already joined the Srilanka team..so Mumbai in deep trouble....they should bring Santokie who is a good T20 player...Rajasthan should give Hooda a chance instead of Binny....

Suja59
on May 19, 2014, 4:39 GMT

@sweetiepaper Spot on. This has been the problem with MI. But I doubt if they will play a fifth bowler and whether they will let Pollard and Anderson come up in the order. I would even Pollard and Anderson ahead of Rayudu. Rayudu is good, but he can not do what Pollard can on his day. Anyway whichever way the match goes, MI will not reach playoffs given so many odds stacked against them

android_user
on May 19, 2014, 4:21 GMT

@mngc: Only 1 ??.. I can give you numerous reasons why he should be batting up the order. Case in point last final where he came in the 10th over... and there is a difference between other teams hitting. CSK have smith as opener, last year he belonged to MI so we know he can hit, and also had he not opened for MI would dhoni have discovered his capability ??? an answer we woukd never know. KXIP have maxwell at 4.. and if he fails they have miller. also the only thing countering maxwell's sixes are the lives he has got. RR and KKR do not have any big-hitters.. RR just have that 1 190+chase, and I won't count uthappa as a big hitter... so yes pollard should bat higher up the order, but does he have the temperament and patience to do so consistently ????... nopes, can't say I believe he does, and anyone with a semblance of responsibility should no, that you do not try to hit yr first ball for six... be it only 13 balls remaining...

sweetiepaper
on May 19, 2014, 0:14 GMT

Mumbai's Problem is that they have badly used Pollard and Anderson and to a lesser extent Rohit. They have all faced too little balls or come in too late.
The other major problem is that they keep playing with a bowler short. The fifth bowler is what always cause them to go for too much runs.
With the loss of Malinga that's even worse. they must bring in Santokie
Drop Guatam and let Tare or Simmons keep wicket.
Simmonds, Rohit, Rayadu, Pollard, Anderson, Tare, Singh, Ojah, Kumar, Santokie, Bumrah

mngc1
on May 18, 2014, 23:49 GMT

@ abhishek Since you are so adamant that Pollard should not bat higher in the order, please explain the logic why the batsman with MI highest average and SR should go in with just 2 overs to go. In one match when he got the chance to face 48 balls he made 78.

Note the teams that have put their hard hitters at the top of the order are at the top of the table.

dummy4fb
on May 18, 2014, 20:47 GMT

Its time for RR to bring in Unmukt Chand instead of Nayar. They have couple of matches to try only available slot.

If Watson is not playing they should get Hodge and get an additional Indian bowler instead of Nair OR they can go for Abhisekh Nayar / Ankit sharma/Deepak Hooda

espncricinfomobile
on May 18, 2014, 19:33 GMT

From a Mumbai Indian fan
To be practical it's always tough to qualify after straight 5 loss but disappointed with the batting performance.
Let us not think to qualify for play offs, just give us some reason to smile. Play hard.
I would prefer
1) Rohit 2) Raydu 3) Cory 4) Pollard 5) Hussey 6) Tare 7) Harbhajan 8) PK 9) Santoki 10) Bumrah 11) Youngster
I didnot like the approach of Rohit. He is waiting for thing to change. In T20 you need eye 20 runs extra above the par score.
No matter we loose or win the approach should be attacking cricket. All the best guys !!! #DilSeMI

android_user
on May 18, 2014, 18:33 GMT

Anderson come to open batsman have som chance to win the game

android_user
on May 18, 2014, 17:58 GMT

hussey or dunk instead of simmons he is overated.pitch will be slow so santokie should play tomorrow.

android_user
on May 18, 2014, 16:19 GMT

Bad team management..dey could not utilize their resources..in t20 your 5 best batsman shiuld come at the top..they sud have opened the batting with anderson to utilize him better.

sapnil2000
on May 18, 2014, 15:56 GMT

whoever is rajhsthan captain, they make sure they won't bat upper order or bowl and instead of winning keep promoting local talent

dummy4fb
on May 18, 2014, 15:52 GMT

Yup.. I am an MI fan.. but frankly RCB gave 25 extras.. Mi gave only 10... and since slinga is gone... I would rather prefer

Hussey, Simmons, Rayudu, Pollard (only to shut some people up about he coming in too late), Rohit, Tare, Gopal, Bhajji, Delange (for sheer pace), PK (You have signed him for god's sake) and bhumrah

MI anyways have no chance so why not try some combination to be in good stead next year

dummy4fb
on May 18, 2014, 15:36 GMT

Mumbai problem has always been that they bat Pollard too low. Guys like Sharma and Rayudu can score decently on their day but rarely win you matches but when a guy like Pollard gets in he wins you plenty.
All you have to do is look at his history in the last two years, most times when he comes in early, mostly because 4 or 5 wickets have gone down, he plays himself in for 5 overs then goes after the bowling the end result being a good total being reached because of him.

ashillito
on May 18, 2014, 15:21 GMT

I feel I should point out that it was actually RCB that leaked 25 extras in the match against Mumbai, not the other way around as the article claims. They have conceded the second most extras in a match this season with 18 against SRH, but generally haven't been too bad. Still, they're obviously doing something wrong!

espncricinfomobile
on May 18, 2014, 14:21 GMT

Rohit is not suite for captain at all should change him

android_user
on May 18, 2014, 14:12 GMT

bad start from uae costed them a lot .5 early continous losses was reason.

No featured comments at the moment.

android_user
on May 18, 2014, 14:12 GMT

bad start from uae costed them a lot .5 early continous losses was reason.

espncricinfomobile
on May 18, 2014, 14:21 GMT

Rohit is not suite for captain at all should change him

ashillito
on May 18, 2014, 15:21 GMT

I feel I should point out that it was actually RCB that leaked 25 extras in the match against Mumbai, not the other way around as the article claims. They have conceded the second most extras in a match this season with 18 against SRH, but generally haven't been too bad. Still, they're obviously doing something wrong!

dummy4fb
on May 18, 2014, 15:36 GMT

Mumbai problem has always been that they bat Pollard too low. Guys like Sharma and Rayudu can score decently on their day but rarely win you matches but when a guy like Pollard gets in he wins you plenty.
All you have to do is look at his history in the last two years, most times when he comes in early, mostly because 4 or 5 wickets have gone down, he plays himself in for 5 overs then goes after the bowling the end result being a good total being reached because of him.

dummy4fb
on May 18, 2014, 15:52 GMT

Yup.. I am an MI fan.. but frankly RCB gave 25 extras.. Mi gave only 10... and since slinga is gone... I would rather prefer

Hussey, Simmons, Rayudu, Pollard (only to shut some people up about he coming in too late), Rohit, Tare, Gopal, Bhajji, Delange (for sheer pace), PK (You have signed him for god's sake) and bhumrah

MI anyways have no chance so why not try some combination to be in good stead next year

sapnil2000
on May 18, 2014, 15:56 GMT

whoever is rajhsthan captain, they make sure they won't bat upper order or bowl and instead of winning keep promoting local talent

android_user
on May 18, 2014, 16:19 GMT

Bad team management..dey could not utilize their resources..in t20 your 5 best batsman shiuld come at the top..they sud have opened the batting with anderson to utilize him better.

android_user
on May 18, 2014, 17:58 GMT

hussey or dunk instead of simmons he is overated.pitch will be slow so santokie should play tomorrow.

android_user
on May 18, 2014, 18:33 GMT

Anderson come to open batsman have som chance to win the game

espncricinfomobile
on May 18, 2014, 19:33 GMT

From a Mumbai Indian fan
To be practical it's always tough to qualify after straight 5 loss but disappointed with the batting performance.
Let us not think to qualify for play offs, just give us some reason to smile. Play hard.
I would prefer
1) Rohit 2) Raydu 3) Cory 4) Pollard 5) Hussey 6) Tare 7) Harbhajan 8) PK 9) Santoki 10) Bumrah 11) Youngster
I didnot like the approach of Rohit. He is waiting for thing to change. In T20 you need eye 20 runs extra above the par score.
No matter we loose or win the approach should be attacking cricket. All the best guys !!! #DilSeMI